An Alternative Theory of Nonexistent Objects

Authors

Edward N. Zalta and Alan McMichael

Reference

Journal of Philosophical Logic, 9, August 1980,
297-314

Abstract

The authors develop precise statements of the conditions under which
there are nonexistent objects and of the conditions under which any
two such objects are identical. Essentially, for any describable
condition on properties, there is a nonexistent object which includes
(but doesn't necessarily exemplify) just the properties satisfying the
condition. The logic of inclusion is developed in detail. It is
shown how these nonexistent objects can serve as the denotations of
the names of fictional characters.